Grande Communications acquires Advantex

Overbuilder Grande Communications remained on the acquisition path this week, adding Advantex Communications to the fold.

The purchase expands Grande's presence in Texas. Advantex's broadband network passes roughly 60,000 homes and businesses in the communities both north and east of the Dallas metroplex, including Allen, Corinth, Denton, Fairview, Flower Mound, Frisco, Lewisville, Little Elm and McKinney.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but Grande is sweetening the deal by adding more than 400 fiber miles, two Class-5 switches, three ATM switches and a retail sales office.

The addition of Advantex marks Grande's third acquisition this year. In March, the company bought 3,000 route miles of fiber throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana from C3 Communications. Grande, also that month, obtained rights to offer data and voice services to customers of TXU Communications, which manages broadband operations in several "top" Texas metros.

"When the capital markets open up again, we'll be ready for future growth," said Grande Vice Chairman and CEO William Morrow, in a statement.

Founded in 1999, Grande is building broadband networks in Austin, Corpus Christi, Midland, Odessa, San Antonio, San Marcos and Waco.